South Australian odyssey

After a flight from your home state, you’ll rendezvous in Adelaide and dive straight into the delights of the beautiful Clare Valley with stops at a silo art mural and a gorgeous heritage sandstone mansion before a first-night welcome dinner.

Over the next seven days, the changing colours of the outback will inspire and delight. In Port Augusta, you’ll discover the fragrance of the desert at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, wander through the tunnel of time at Wadlata Outback Centre, and ride on the nostalgic Afghan Express, along the old Ghan railway, towards the tiny town of Quorn at the foot of the Flinders Ranges.

Over a couple of nights at the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, you’ll soak in approximately two billion years of geology on a thrilling half-day 4WD tour winding through the surreal landscape. You’ll also have the option to take a scenic flight over either Arkaroola or Lake Eyre, and stargaze in one of Australia’s only certified Dark Sky Sanctuaries.

Moving on, you’ll learn about mining in the area on a guided tour around Leigh Creek and head underground into a historic copper mine in Blinman before arriving at one of Australia’s greatest treasures—Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre filled with majestic trees, ochre rock, and Indigenous history.

Staying in the heart of the action at Wilpena Pound Resort, you’ll find highlights abound over the next couple of days. Marvel at icons like the Cazneaux Tree, Great Wall of China, and Stokes Hill Lookout, and tap into the culture on a walk with an Indigenous guide. You’ll also have another chance to take to the skies on a scenic flight.

Southbound, there’ll be a stop at Hawker to marvel at Jeff Morgan’s majestic panorama paintings of the Flinders Ranges. Enjoy a guided tour of the historic village of Burra, before arriving in the beautiful Barossa Valley for two nights at the Wine Vine Hotel. 

Penfolds cellar door and Maggie Beer’s farm shop are two icons of the area—you’ll experience both on the Gourmet Trail Tour, which also includes lunch at the historic Seppeltsfield Estate.
The foodie theme continues on the final day with a wine and chocolate pairing experience en route to the airport, where you’ll return home full of treasured memories.

This article is featured in National Seniors Australia’s quarterly member magazine, Our Generation. 

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